Senators say it may be time to look at vehicle fuel economy

StephanieI. Cohen

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Two key senators said Tuesday it may be appropriate for Congress to look at raising mandatory fuel economy standards to boost the efficiency of vehicles in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Sen. Pete Domenici, the Republican chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said at a hearing it may be time to "take another look at [corporate average fuel economy] standards" but added "I don't know how we would address that." Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., the ranking Democrat on the committee, said "I am very encouraged that this is possibly an issue we could revisit." The U.S. automotive industry has fiercely opposed such measures. The Bush Administration recently proposed changes to fuel economy standards for light trucks an sport utility vehicles.

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